Mike Huckabee

Laura Ainsworth, Staff Writer

January2, 2019

In addition to being a writer for "Huckabee," Laura Ainsworth is also an award-winning retro jazz singer. To get 2019 off on a high note, here’s a video of her impromptu performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on New Year’s Eve at Dallas’ Kessler Theater. Visit www.lauraainsworth.com for more.

Now that Michelle Obama has been named “Most Admired Woman” for 2018, it’s time for me to make a prediction for 2019: The former First Lady will toss her hat in the ring for 2020, and she will get her party’s nomination.

Her PR machine, which has quietly percolated ever since Hillary lost, went full-tilt in September with the November 13 release of her book, BECOMING. (One might ask, “BECOMING what?” I say “becoming a presidential nominee.”) Book signings used to be casual events --- remember? --- where, for just the price of the book, fans could get in line to meet the author, shake hands, snap a photo and take home an autographed copy. According to the New York Times, if you wanted a front-row seat at Barclay’s Center and an opportunity to “meet and greet” Michelle and take a selfie, it would set you back $3,000. If you were in a wheelchair, you could be seated at the back for $400. Nosebleed seats went for $29.50.

This was part of a 10-city tour put together by Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter, which handles about 500 artists, including Beyonce, U2, and Miley Cyrus. Tickets by Ticketmaster. She’s not the first person to kick off a book with the equivalent of a concert tour (Hillary did that, back when she could still draw a fair crowd), but this one appears to have been the biggest and most expensive.

A portion of the take would go to charity, according to Live Nation’s PR director. Ten percent.

It started in Chicago, Michelle’s hometown, at the United Center arena, home to the Chicago Bulls. (Since I try to avoid petty snark, it’s up to those of you who are so inclined to come up with your own play on words.) This place seats 19,000 people. She made other stops at giant venues in such cities as Washington, DC (two shows); Boston; Philadelphia; Detroit; Denver; Dallas; and Brooklyn (two shows).

Michelle and the Crown Publishing Group made a deal with Hearst Magazines to promote her new book with content “sprinkled” through its publications and websites. According to the NYT, it was this deal that got her the December cover of ELLE magazine. When we see those glossy magazine covers and features on Michelle, and bits of content “sprinkled” here and there throughout media, we can safely assume that they aren’t so much “news” as they are part of a business deal to promote her.

Those who know how PR works will realize that all of this high-powered effort is synergistic –- it works together. Michelle is everywhere, so she becomes more and more of a celebrity, which causes the demand for tickets and sells the book, which makes her more of a celebrity, which means more articles and magazine covers, and on and on. The timing of every picture, every mention, is strategically planned. It may look audience-driven, but it’s not. Her growing popularity is being engineered every bit as much as that of a pop star like Katy Perry.

According to the NYT, the Obamas also entered into a multiyear production deal with Netflix in May of 2018 to create television and film through their new production company, Higher Ground. The financial terms have not been disclosed, but typically such deals are worth tens of millions of dollars over several years. Magazines, news outlets, film, TV, live appearances --- all are busy shaping the culture and promoting Michelle Obama.

Anand Giridharadas, author of WINNERS TAKE ALL: THE ELITE CHARADE OF CHANGING THE WORLD,” was initially taken aback by the huge cash-in being made by Michelle on her book tour. “As [they are] the first African-American President and First Lady,” he said, “I am very wary of arguments that they should not do something everybody else was allowed to do. But an arena with tiered seating is a powerful metaphor for everything they presumably want to destroy. What this illustrates to me is that cashing in has become our common culture in a way we don’t realize. It’s the water in which we’re all swimming.”

Sorry, but that’s not what it illustrates to me. To me, it illustrates stunning hypocrisy. And excusing it, as Giridharadas seems to be doing, by saying, “Well, it’s part of the culture now and everybody does it,” won’t fly. Michelle doesn’t have to swim in that water. Sure, Hillary’s money-grubbing set the stage for it, but the Obamas are showing that they’re scarcely different from the Clintons in their pursuit of untold millions. The one difference may be that they’re managing to keep it legal.

Michelle managed to put a positive spin on the greed, by linking it with (what else?) female empowerment. “It’s not easy to tell somebody that you are worth a lot,” she said during a friendly interview in New Orleans. “Especially for women. We have a hard time saying that about ourselves, that I know my worth and I can put a monetary number on it, too.” If I could somehow meet Michelle without paying $3,000, I might say to her that today, the idea of “empowerment” is being used to excuse anything a woman can get away with.

Here’s the story from Jacob Bernstein as it ran in the NYT back in September.

Since that time, the promotion machine has churned on. I recently saw a puff piece on her longtime wardrobe stylist, Meredith Koop, who, I learned, is now putting Michelle in pants to make her more “accessible,” less like a First Lady. It’s a carefully and deliberately crafted image.

I suppose Koop also put her in those $4,000 just-for-fun thigh-high gold sequinned boots that elicited oohs and aahs during a recent TV appearance. Had Melania Trump made an appearance in those boots, the audience would have thrown rotten vegetables at her.

Of course, that’s hypothetical. Melania would not have been invited in the first place.

But back to the original point. Michelle’s PR machine is revving up, headed for...what? I say it’s the nomination. Watch the “sprinkling” of Michelle throughout the media over the next few months. Watch for hints from her that she may run. To my knowledge, she hasn’t said no.

Really, who else is it going to be? Hillary still wants it desperately, but even if she avoids the prosecution she deserves, she is over, and probably can’t physically endure a campaign. Joe Biden is 147 years old, and there’s too much video of him getting hands-y with women and young girls. Bernie Sanders is even older, 159, though, as far as I know, not nearly as hands-y. “Beto” O’Rourke’s only real qualification is that he generates excitement because he looks like a young Kennedy –- which, come to think of it, makes him a more likely candidate than most of this sorry group. (Can you say “running mate”?) Cory Booker and Kamala Harris? Most Americans will never warm up to them, with good reason. Elizabeth Warren (who is already setting up an “exploratory committee”)? It’s not in her DNA. Oprah? Though she came in as the second Most Admired Woman (with Hillary third; can you believe it?), I see her as less political, supporting Michelle Obama with everything she has and taking some powerful position with her if she wins.

Unless someone comes from nowhere --- which, ironically, her husband did in 2008 --- Michelle will run for and win the Democratic Party nomination. And she’ll continue to have the same kind of PR machine behind her that took Katy Perry to #1.

A postscript: I’ve been wrong before. Last time, I predicted Biden would be the nominee, as he’d step in and replace Hillary after she was indicted for one of her many wrongdoings (pick one). Little did we know then what was going on at the FBI to protect her…

Another postscript: When I went to Amazon to research the book WINNERS TAKE ALL, guess what I found with it under “Frequently Bought Together”? BECOMING, by Michelle Obama.

Thanks for the many thoughtful comments in response to “So, really, what is going on with Joe Biden?” Those of you who have been through the heartbreak of having a loved one suffering with mental decline can’t help but see the same signs in Joe Biden on the campaign trail.

Thanks for the many thoughtful comments in response to “So, really, what is going on with Joe Biden?” Those of you who have been through the heartbreak of having a loved one suffering with mental decline can’t help but see the same signs in Joe Biden on the campaign trail.

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Comments 1-13 of 13

Robert W Burnett

05/07/2019 02:57 AM

I like you and your way of delivering commentaries, Governor Mike. I wish I could visit and just hang out with you, like a favorite cousin or brother. God bless and inspire you so you can reach many more people that count (vote). Bob from western Massachusetts.

Deborah Mauldin

01/04/2019 07:47 AM

I predicted in January 2017 that Michelle Obama would be the Democratic nominee in 2020. She will win-not because she is qualified but because she represents females and minorities and most important of all the media LOVES her. So they will indeed influence the liberal voters and set a mark in history as being the first female minority president. The only problem is she has not qualifications whatsoever to run a country like America. Remember the healthy school menus she promoted.

Betty T Jay

01/03/2019 05:19 PM

I wouldn't waste a dime of my money for this unpatriotic hyprocrite. Wish she and her husband would disappear. Tired of them bashing Donald and Melania Trump. Don't know how anyone could admire such a negative person.

Marilyn DeMarco

01/03/2019 12:00 PM

Lord help us!

Patti L Massaker

01/02/2019 07:27 PM

I am dreading this with every fiber of my being. When her book came out I had a sneaking feeling that what you are sayingwould be true. Even before she did her book tour...she has TONS of high profile celebrity liberals behind her. Oprah, Beyonce on and on.If she does make a run she will have all their $$$$$$$ coming her way. I will be on my knees praying every day and night even more than I ever have that the good Lord will protect us.

Kathy Radich

01/02/2019 06:45 PM

Your article just ruined my new year! Please pray that America can’t be this stupid AGAIN! God bless this country!

George Curl

01/02/2019 05:41 PM

Michelle Obama as POTUS scares the dickens out of me. But good points made here. She's written and published a book, she is rapidly becoming a high profile celebrity and she has nothing to offer the country. Just what we need.

Bonnie Reynolds

01/02/2019 04:51 PM

Our system of government is supposed to be the best in the world. I, for one am upset by the way people in positions of power do not work for the people, but take advantage of anything and everything to promote their own wealth. Why has news reporting turned into a blame game to promote the far left agenda. We need God's help ASAP.

Firewagon

01/02/2019 02:03 PM

"....I say it’s the nomination." I would say, God help us; however, since God has been relegated to irrelevance in this country, I'm not sure how much He is paying attention. "It's the first time I've been proud of my country." MO - As she rakes in the millions from "her country," she remains one of, if not, 'the' most racist women ever to be called First Lady of The United States of America!

America can not survive ANOTHER Obama presidency....

Robbie Mize

01/02/2019 11:42 AM

This thought of Michelle Obama turns my stomach....it reminds me too much of when George Wallace of Alabama could no longer be Governor and they decided to run his wife Lurlene who was about as ready for the job as I would be. We all knew who was doing the governing and we know who will be doing it should Michelle Obama be elected. Lots of pillow talk going on there you can be certain. I actually felt sorry for Ms. Lurlene but do not think I can have the same feelings for someone who was never proud to be an American until she became the FLOTUS.

Bryan C. Loy

01/02/2019 11:41 AM

Mike, while I think you're on the right track with most things, I sincerely hope that you are wrong on this prediction. We need M.O. back in the White House again for any reason, about like we need a hole in the head.

Rosalie Gilliland

01/02/2019 11:22 AM

Laura Ainsworth, thank you for the great commentary. I really love your writing. I'm not surprised that Michelle Obama will most likely run in 2020. We might be done with the Obamas, but they're not through yet. They have more sedition to unleash on our nation.

Don Chenault

01/02/2019 10:31 AM

If she were to run and be elected, then that would be the second time she would be proud to be an American.. First time was when barry was elected.... I hope she never has the opportunity to be proud the second time.. 2 terms with the celebrity obamas was more than enough